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Google Boosts Link Visibility in AI Search Results

Google AI Search Google Search AI Overviews Artificial Intelligence Search Engine News
February 17, 2026
Source: The Verge AI
Viqus Verdict Logo Viqus Verdict Logo 8
Strategic Shift
Media Hype 7/10
Real Impact 8/10

Article Summary

Google is implementing a significant UI change to its AI-powered search features, prioritizing link visibility. Following concerns surrounding the impact of its AI Overviews and AI Mode on web traffic for news publishers, the company is now presenting links in a pop-up format upon hovering over cited sources. This design change, championed by VP of Google Search Robby Stein, highlights a description of each linked article and accompanying images. The move reflects a response to critiques regarding Google’s shifting search landscape. Furthermore, Google is demonstrating continued expansion of these features, alongside ongoing exploration of publisher opt-out options and increased source linking in AI Mode. This represents a crucial step in managing user expectations and navigating the delicate balance between innovation and maintaining relationships with the content ecosystem.

Key Points

  • Google is introducing pop-up links within AI Overviews and AI Mode for cited sources.
  • The redesign aims to improve user engagement and provide more direct access to cited content.
  • This change responds to concerns about Google’s AI search diminishing traffic to news publishers.

Why It Matters

This news is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it directly addresses a major criticism of Google's AI search—its effect on the open web and traditional news publishers. Secondly, it signals a potential evolution in how Google navigates the relationship between its AI tools and the broader internet. This will impact not only publishers but also how users interact with information, potentially reshaping the future of search. Ultimately, it highlights the ongoing tension between cutting-edge AI and the established foundations of the web.

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